Nfl Picks: Combine-Fueled Mock Drafts Put Mendoza No. 1 as Cardinals, Seahawks Target Notre Dame Running Backs

Two prominent draft studies released after the scouting combine have re-ordered the early conversation around nfl picks: one projects the Cardinals and Seahawks each selecting Notre Dame running backs in Round 1, while an executives' top-10 projection places Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza at No. 1 to the Raiders. With free agency and pro days still ahead, these mock drafts offer a snapshot rather than a final map.

Nfl Picks — What Charles Davis' 2026 mock draft 2. 0 projects

Charles Davis' second mock draft, updated after the combine, emphasizes how fluid prospect stocks and team needs remain. The mock keeps all teams in their current draft slots while flagging several headline selections: the Cardinals and the Seahawks are shown taking Notre Dame running backs in Round 1, and the Raiders are tied to a widely discussed prospect nicknamed the "Potentate of Hoosier Land. " The exercise also highlights a sequence of early-board moves that reflect combine momentum.

• Edge rusher momentum: The mock slots Bailey as the first edge rusher off the board, with combine work boosting his standing and landing him with Gang Green.
• Big-name fits: One pick description frames the Cardinals as adding arguably the best player on the board, seen as a strong starting point for their many roster needs.
• Ohio State representation: Reese is slotted to Music City as the first Buckeye called in this projection.
• Receiver and secondary picks: Styles is projected to the Giants based on standout tape and a strong combine; Downs is placed with the Bengals to help shore up a pass defense that has struggled.
• Running back speed note: After a 4. 53-second 40-yard dash at the combine, Tate is kept with the Browns in this mock despite mixed draft chatter about his early-round upside.
• O-line and front-seven considerations: Picks such as Mauigoa for the Chiefs and versatile offensive linemen who might slide inside are included, and one team’s recent roster move involving an offensive tackle has been flagged in coverage as relevant context.

The mock reiterates that trades are likely to be a factor before Round 1 in Pittsburgh, and it notes that pro-day season is about to begin, offering opportunities for prospects who did not fully showcase at the combine.

Executives’ top-10 exercise reframes early nfl picks with Mendoza at No. 1

A separate projection draws on the views of four league executives—one general manager, two assistant GMs and one vice president of player personnel—to map the top 10. That exercise delivers a clear consensus: Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza emerges as the likely No. 1 pick to the Raiders in this view. The executives’ exercise underscores a theme that will shape draft-day decisions—the balance between quarterback ceiling and team scheme fit.

That top-end consensus sits alongside broader uncertainty. The executives noted that some positions will form a consensus (edge rushers, running back, quarterback), while others—particularly receivers and cornerbacks—are much more open to interpretation beyond the narrowest early selections. The group’s track record from last year is noted as mixed but informative; they predicted several early selections correctly in a prior exercise and also recorded notable misses, underscoring the volatility of projecting the first round.

Contextual notes from the executives’ mock: the Raiders’ new offensive plan is expected to be more run-oriented, which influences how a quarterback prospect’s immediate ceiling is viewed; Mendoza is not universally framed as a generational talent in that exercise, but the consensus still places him at the top. Other quarterbacks in the class remain in the discussion as teams weigh fit versus upside.

What’s next: both mock drafts emphasize that free agency, pro days and trade activity will continue to rearrange rankings and needs. These projections offer a directional look at early nfl picks, but details may evolve as teams complete evaluations and reshape rosters in the weeks leading to Round 1.